Absolute power Quote by Lord Chesterfield
“Armies, though always the supporters and tools of absolute power for the time being, are always the destroyers of it too; by frequently changing the hands in which they think proper to lodge it.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown, 18th century political commentary
Power relies on armies that both support and eventually undermine it by shifting loyalties.
In simple terms: Armies support then destroy power by changing sides.
Key Takeaway
Beware of shifting loyalties in power structures.
Themes
politics
military
power dynamics
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- government
- military strategy
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
authority
instability
control
Questions to Reflect On
- How do modern militaries balance loyalty and autonomy?
- What safeguards prevent armies from destabilizing authority?
A Different Perspective
Power can be eroded when armies act independently of the ruler.
![“As Israel made the wants of his national existence the law of the world, as under the dominance of these wants he deified even his political vindictiveness; so the Christian made the requirements of human feeling the absolute powers and laws of the world. [T]hat is, indeed, only of man considered…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd1/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_abrahamism_as-israel-made-the-wants-of-his-national_31284.jpg)
